Split Ferrite Shielding for Wireless Power Capacitor Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power transmitting and receiving devices face issues with capacitor elements experiencing high temperatures due to induced currents, which can be exacerbated by the design of ferrite members used in these devices.

Innovation Solution

The devices are designed with a ferrite member comprising mutually spaced, split pieces of ferrite, where the power receiving coil is positioned on the lower surface and the power receiving capacitor on the upper surface, and vice versa for the power transmitting device, to minimize magnetic flux and induced currents within the closed loop circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If capacitor elements are disposed on a substrate to reduce size and cost, then capacitor size and cost are reduced, but induced currents pass through the capacitor elements causing high temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacitor sizeVSAvoidcapacitor element temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The ferrite member is divided into multiple split pieces that are mutually spaced apart. This segmentation creates magnetic flux barriers that intercept and redirect magnetic flux lines, preventing them from forming closed loops through the capacitor elements. The split pieces are positioned to strategically block magnetic flux paths while maintaining the overall magnetic shielding function, thereby reducing induced currents in the capacitor elements without requiring a solid ferrite block.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The split ferrite pieces act as intermediary magnetic flux barriers between the power transmitting/receiving coils and the capacitor elements. These intermediaries intercept and redirect magnetic flux, preventing direct coupling between the coils and capacitors. The ferrite material's high permeability allows it to attract and redirect magnetic flux lines away from the capacitor elements, reducing the induced currents that cause heating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If ferrite member is formed of plurality of split pieces, then magnetic flux entering capacitor is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic flux entering capacitorVSAvoidferrite member structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ferrite member is divided into multiple split pieces that are mutually spaced apart. This segmentation creates magnetic flux barriers that intercept and redirect magnetic flux lines, preventing them from forming closed loops through the capacitor elements. The split pieces are positioned to strategically block magnetic flux paths while maintaining the overall magnetic shielding function, thereby reducing induced currents in the capacitor elements without requiring a solid ferrite block.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The split ferrite pieces serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide magnetic flux shielding, act as structural support elements, and create electrical isolation between different regions of the magnetic circuit. The same segmented structure that reduces magnetic flux coupling also simplifies assembly and allows for modular replacement, thereby reducing overall device complexity despite the segmented design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Power

If power transmitting and receiving devices use conventional capacitor design, then power transfer is achieved, but capacitor elements experience excessive heating due to induced currents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transfer efficiencyVSAvoidenergy loss in capacitor
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The ferrite member is divided into multiple split pieces that are mutually spaced apart. This segmentation creates magnetic flux barriers that intercept and redirect magnetic flux lines, preventing them from forming closed loops through the capacitor elements. The split pieces are positioned to strategically block magnetic flux paths while maintaining the overall magnetic shielding function, thereby reducing induced currents in the capacitor elements without requiring a solid ferrite block.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potentially harmful induced currents into beneficial magnetic flux redirection. The split ferrite pieces are strategically positioned to intercept magnetic flux that would otherwise induce harmful currents in the capacitors. By carefully designing the spacing and positioning of the ferrite split pieces, the magnetic flux is redirected through paths that do not involve the capacitor elements, thereby converting what would be a harmful effect into a controlled magnetic circuit design feature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration reduces the magnitude of induced currents through the capacitor elements, thereby preventing excessive heating and allowing for efficient power transfer while minimizing ferrite usage and cost.

Implementation Method 1

a ferrite member including a plurality of mutually spaced, split pieces of ferrite... When the power transmitting and receiving devices transfer electric power therebetween, a magnetic flux is generated. The magnetic flux enters the power transmitting capacitor and the power receiving capacitor.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic shielding: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

When the power transmitting device and the power receiving device transfer electric power therebetween, the power transmitting coil has a current passing therethrough. The power receiving coil receives electric power from the power transmitting coil and thus a current is passing through the power receiving coil.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

the power transmitting device includes a power transmitting coil and a power transmitting capacitor connected to the power transmitting coil... The power receiving coil receives electric power from the power transmitting coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3082141B1Power receiving device and power transmitting device
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3082141B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3082141B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3082141B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A power receiving device (5) includes: a ferrite member (81) including a plurality of mutually spaced, split pieces of ferrite (91, 92A, 92B1, 92B2); a power receiving coil (8) disposed on the side of a lower surface of the ferrite member (81); and a power receiving capacitor (9) disposed on the side of an upper surface of the ferrite member (81). The power receiving capacitor (9) has a closed loop circuit (111) including first and second wiring connections (116 and 117) and a plurality of capacitor elements (118A, 118B) connected in parallel between the first wiring connection (116) and the second wiring connection (117). When the power receiving capacitor (9) and the ferrite member (81) are seen from therebelow, the closed loop circuit (111) is located within the split piece of ferrite. A power transmitting device (3) has a corresponding structure